Shimkus joins GOP protest of Obama gun plan; Davis does not sign

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, is one of 77 House Republicans to sign a letter to President Obama, protesting his gun control initiatives.

Shimkus and Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, were the only Illinois Republicans to sign the letter that hit Obama for not considering "the voices of millions of law-abiding Americans who support the Second Amendment."

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, whose district includes Champaign-Urbana, did not sign the letter.

The letter, dated Jan. 23, said that the congressmen "believe that at its core the problem is not the absence of law but rather a lack of respect for human life and human dignity."

"While your proposals assume the answer is more laws and fewer guns," the letter says, "millions of other Americans want an increased ability to protect themselves and their families. As we remember the victims of Sandy Hook, let us not overlook the many citizen heroes who have prevented or thwarted similar tragedies with their right to bear arms."

In a separate news release, Shimkus, a nine-term congressman whose 15th Congressional District includes Danville and parts of Champaign County, said that there "are many laws currently on the books that need to be fully enforced. We do not need more laws."

"In addition, states need to be doing their part in providing criminal and mental heath records into the background check system," the news release said. "Finally, we must understand that we cannot regulate the evil that creates a lack of respect for human life."